The argument was opposed by Delhi Police's counsel who had said that rape had taken place and the trial court had given reasons while convicting and sentencing 45-year-old Farooqui.

Mahmood Farooqui, the co-director of Bollywood movie Peepli Live, who was earlier convicted and sentenced to seven-year-jail for raping a United States scholar, was on Monday acquitted by the Delhi high court, which granted him benefit of doubt saying the testimony of the prosecutrix was not inspiring the confidence of the court.

Citing the woman's testimony in court, Justice Kumar noted that "physical contact with Farooqui in the nature of a kiss or a hug was being accepted by her without any protest".

During the appeal trial, Farooqui's lawyer challenged the victim's rape claim and claimed that the two were in a relationship, the Express reported.

Context: In June 2015, a case of rape was registered against Farooqui based on the complaint filed by a USA scholar.

Farooqui's counsel Nitya Ramakrishnan had, however, defended him saying that he suffered from bipolar disorder and should be given a chance to reform.

The unwillingness of the (survivor) was only in her own mind and heart but she communicated something different to (Farooqui). "This remains in doubt".

Following the complaint, he was arrested by the police and produced in a session court in Delhi. Advocate Vrinda Grover, who represented the U.S. woman, said they will appeal against the high court order.

From there, they all went to another friend's place and then to Nagaland Kitchen in Farooqui's vehicle where he kissed her and she returned his kiss.

Farooqui co-directed the 2010 movie Peepli Live with his wife, Anusha Rizvi, which premiered at Sundance. "There was no communication regarding this fear in the mind of the prosecutrix to the appellant". The date on the incident was recorded as March 28, 2015. The very concept of consent has become alien in the society and now even judges and courts do not shy away from indulging in this ridiculous statement.